Nassau County brews trust with local police on Coffee with a Cop Day

Over a steaming cup of coffee, Nassau County residents got the chance to chat, connect, and brew up new relationships with local police officers during National Coffee with a Cop Day on Oct. 2. Hosted at RS Beanery Coffee & Cocktails in Merrick, the event saw a bustling crowd, where conversations flowed as smoothly as the free coffee, generously provided by the café’s owners.

National Coffee with a Cop Day is an annual event that encourages communication and positive interactions between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. It typically takes place on the first Wednesday in October, with the goal of creating a relaxed environment where people can sit down with police officers over a cup of coffee, ask questions, voice concerns, and build trust. This event is part of a broader community policing effort to bridge the gap between law enforcement and citizens by fostering open dialogue and improving relationships.

Coffee with a Cop Day was established in 2016 as a way to strengthen the bond between police officers and the communities they serve. This was Nassau County’s 9th year participating in the program.

The key idea behind Coffee with a Cop is to create an informal, neutral setting for conversations between police officers and community members. Unlike traditional community-policing methods, which often occur in more formal or high-stakes situations, this event is designed to be approachable and relaxed. The casual atmosphere of a coffee shop or similar setting helps lower barriers, allowing individuals to express concerns, ask questions, or simply get to know the officers better.

Anyone in the community can attend Coffee with a Cop programs — it’s open to all ages and backgrounds. One of the distinguishing features is that there’s no formal agenda or specific topic to discuss. Conversations can range from neighborhood safety to general community concerns or even casual, light-hearted topics.

Nassau County officers were on hand at last week’s events, and there were plenty of giveaways for kids to go around. For more information about how the department connects with the community, contact Community Affairs office at (516) 573-7360.